Whether swollen lymph nodes in the breast can heal on their own depends on the cause of the swollen lymph nodes. If the swollen lymph nodes are caused by bacteria or viruses, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral treatment is required for recovery. Swollen lymph nodes in the breast due to cancer usually do not heal on their own and lymph node dissection should be performed when the cancerous tissue is removed. Swollen breast lymph nodes due to tuberculosis require appropriate anti-tuberculosis treatment, which is usually of a longer duration.